CORKY TAYLOR INDUCTED INTO KENTUCKY BOURBON HALL OF FAME®
The Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame’s 2024 class includes the first Black chemist at Brown-Forman, a veteran visitor center manager who elevated Bourbon tourism, two distinctive distillery founders and a trailblazing retailer who later created his own craft distillery. That groundbreaking retail guru is Ken Lewis, the retired Chief Executive Officer of New Riff Distillery, and this year’s recipient of the Parker Beam Lifetime Achievement. As a retailer, Lewis created The Party Source megastore and drove lawsuits that allowed Sunday and credit card sales of alcohol.
A fearless entrepreneur, in 2014 Lewis launched the New Riff Distillery in Northern Kentucky, creating one of the world’s greatest boutique distilleries based on innovation and collaboration to “riff” on the old ways and redefine new benchmarks of whiskey making.
KDA President Eric Gregory said, “Each year we gather with our most respected legends and champions to applaud the collective progress that the industry has made, largely thanks to the stars who have helped transform Bourbon into an economic engine and global tourism beacon for our state.
“Because of their leadership and dedication, Kentucky Bourbon continues to elevate communities across the Commonwealth and create places for visitors from across the globe to experience a taste of America’s only native spirit. We are incredibly grateful for this year’s inductees and thankful for their impact in helping Bourbon build Kentucky.”
This year’s Hall of Fame class includes Elmer Lucille Allen, Dee Ford, Ken Lewis, The late Peter T. Loftin, and R.M. Corky Taylor.
R.M. Corky Taylor, 75, Henderson, Ky. A respected businessman throughout the country, Taylor retired from an accomplished career in financial services and focused on a lifelong dream– to resurrect his great-grandfather’s whiskey company. Taylor and his son spent countless hours poring over family history to bring back the Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co., originally owned by Henry Kraver in Henderson. He built back the family legacy in Louisville along historic Whiskey Row, gaining national recognition– and national awards– by patiently waiting for his whiskey to age, living up to the original quality Bourbon standards his ancestor first set in 1889.
The KDA created the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame® in 2001 to recognize individuals and organizations that have made a significant and transformational impact on Bourbon’s stature, growth and awareness. It is the highest honor given by the signature industry. Candidates are nominated each year by the KDA and its member distilleries. A blue-ribbon committee– including all living recipients of the Parker Beam Lifetime Achievement Award– painstakingly reviews and selects up to five applicants a year for induction.
The invitation-only ceremony will be held Tuesday, Sept. 10, at The Legacy at Log Still in Nelson County, Ky. The intimate event, known for attracting the industry’s most revered legends and champions, is held annually in conjunction with the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown. The 2024 Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame® ceremony and luncheon is sponsored by Brindiamo Group, Blue & Co., LLC, Bardstown Tourism, Buzick Construction, Inc., Stedman Machine Company and Vendome Copper &Brass Works Corp.
